An Australian woman has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 51 tropical fish into Australia concealed under her skirt, customs officials said on Monday.
The 43-year-old woman arrived in Melbourne from Singapore on Friday and drew the attention of customs officers intrigued by “flipping” noises coming from under her skirt, a customs spokesperson said.
Jaclyne Fisher said agents found the fish in 15 water-filled plastic bags held in a specially built apron concealed under her skirt.
“The fish … could have posed potentially serious quarantine, environmental and health risks had they not been seized by customs,” Fisher said.
The woman, whose name was not released, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail and a fine of Aus$110 000 (R733 000). — AFP